Column: The dream 2018 state high school football schedule

The views of the author are not necessarily the views of AllOnGeorgia. 

Back in my newspaper days, I did this little exercise once that involved Georgia high school football.

I looked at the season schedule week-by-week before the season kicked off and charted out where I might like to go each week of the season if I was free to do such a thing.

Of course, I knew this was only a dream scenario as my duties covering local teams would keep me here in Glynn County or have me somewhere on the road in a nearby town with one of the local programs most every week.

This year, my high school football assignments also will keep me here at home for the most part, but again I decided to have some fun and see where I could go each week this season if I were free to roam the state.

Obviously, if I could do this, I might change course if some other game ended up being more attractive than the one I picked out in the preseason.

And, I tell you, I had to pass up some mighty good-looking matchups several weeks just because there is now way to be in two places at once.

So for what it’s worth, here is what I came up with:

Aug. 16-17-18: Marietta at Rome

The Corky Kell Classic spans three days to open up the new season. The game I’d go to is Thursday in Rome where the hometown Wolves will face Marietta. Rome is the two-time defending Class 5A champion and Marietta is getting a lot of hype, even from national pollsters. This one spells excitement.

Aug. 24: Thomas County Central at Thomasville This is a good rivalry in Southwest Georgia, so why not venture over to the Rose City for this one? The series is actually tied 25-25, so someone gets a leg up this year.

Aug. 31: Peach County And Lee County

This matchup might be as juicy as those Georgia peaches that grow in the orchards of both Fort Valley and Leesburg. The Trojans from Peach feel like they were robbed of the Class 3A title last season while the Trojans from Lee won the Class 6A state crown. The teams have never met.

Sept. 7: Mill Creek at Archer

These metro Atlanta powers are contenders for the Class 7A state championship. Archer won close in the regular season last year before winning close again in a rematch in the second-round of the playoffs.

Sept. 14: Irwin County at Clinch County

This one makes the mouth water. The Region 2-A rivals played for the Class A public-school title a year ago with Clinch winning after losing to Irwin in the regular season. This is a huge, huge, small-school showdown in South Georgia.

Sept. 21: Lowndes at Valdosta

Do I really need to say more? I’ve seen both teams play multiple times, but never against each other in the Winnersville Classic. I need to make it to this one day.

Sept. 28: Washington-Wilkes at Lincoln County

Well, this neigborhood rivalry would be better if Robby Robinson was still coaching at Washington-Wilkes and Larry Campbell was still at the Lincoln helm. But a visit to little Lincolnton for this one, still ain’t bad.

Oct. 5 – Carver-Columbus at Cairo

Carver was big-time when Dell McGee was coaching there. I saw these very two teams play for a state title once in Cairo. And, I just love the home team’s nickname – Syrupmakers.

Oct. 12: Archer at Grayson

With this schedule, I would have seen Archer already, but this one should be for the Region 8 title in Georgia’s largest classification. And I’ve got to see Grayson prior to the postseason. The Rams are supposed to be loaded once again. So, this one was potentially too good to pass up.

Oct. 19: Brunswick vs. Glynn Academy

Would I be crazy to even admit I might consider leaving town for another game when the crosstown rivals are colliding between the bricks at Glynn County Stadium? Here’s hoping the City Championship also determines the Region 2-AAAAAA title and top seed for the playoffs.

Oct. 26: Brooks County at Fitgerald

Hopefully my buddy Maurice Freeman and his Trojans will hammer down on folks leading into this game against the Purple Hurricanes which could end up deciding the Region 1-AA title.

Nov. 2: Ware County at Wayne County

I might not get to see either one of these South Georgia teams play in person until this game in the season’s final week, so why not a trip to Jesup, a pregame meal at Sybils, and then a battle royal between the Gators and the Yellow Jackets for the Region 2-AAAAA championship at Jaycee Stadium. Hey, Bob Morgan, can you save me a seat beside you in the home press box?